GB2494719A - Deformable removable steering wheel rim - Google Patents

Deformable removable steering wheel rim Download PDF

Info

Publication number
GB2494719A
GB2494719A GB201117846A GB201117846A GB2494719A GB 2494719 A GB2494719 A GB 2494719A GB 201117846 A GB201117846 A GB 201117846A GB 201117846 A GB201117846 A GB 201117846A GB 2494719 A GB2494719 A GB 2494719A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
wheel rim
energy absorbing
removable
steering wheel
absorbing steering
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB201117846A
Other versions
GB201117846D0 (en
Inventor
Patrick Benson
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of GB201117846D0 publication Critical patent/GB201117846D0/en
Publication of GB2494719A publication Critical patent/GB2494719A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
    • B60R21/02—Occupant safety arrangements or fittings, e.g. crash pads
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D1/00—Steering controls, i.e. means for initiating a change of direction of the vehicle
    • B62D1/02—Steering controls, i.e. means for initiating a change of direction of the vehicle vehicle-mounted
    • B62D1/04—Hand wheels
    • B62D1/046—Adaptations on rotatable parts of the steering wheel for accommodation of switches
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D1/00—Steering controls, i.e. means for initiating a change of direction of the vehicle
    • B62D1/02—Steering controls, i.e. means for initiating a change of direction of the vehicle vehicle-mounted
    • B62D1/04—Hand wheels
    • B62D1/06—Rims, e.g. with heating means; Rim covers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D1/00—Steering controls, i.e. means for initiating a change of direction of the vehicle
    • B62D1/02—Steering controls, i.e. means for initiating a change of direction of the vehicle vehicle-mounted
    • B62D1/04—Hand wheels
    • B62D1/11—Hand wheels incorporating energy-absorbing arrangements, e.g. by being yieldable or collapsible
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
    • B60R21/02—Occupant safety arrangements or fittings, e.g. crash pads
    • B60R21/0286—Padded or energy absorbing driving control initiating means, e.g. gear lever, pedals

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Steering Controls (AREA)

Abstract

A removable, deformable energy absorbing steering wheel rim 5 is maintained in a rigid state under normal conditions by a number of wheel rim core link rods 4. Under impact during accident conditions the wheel rim core link rods 4 are retracted by a number of electro magnets (8 see fig 1) to allow the wheel rim 5 to deform in an energy absorbing manner by means of energy absorbing flexible sections of wheel rim core 3, an energy absorbing elastic wheel rim outer sheath 10 and other external energy absorbing components, namely an energy absorbing wheel rim restrictor fin 11 and an energy absorbing instrument cluster hood 12. Removing a number of withdrawable wheel rim retaining pins 7 allows a number of detachable wheel rim cradles 6 to be removed releasing the steering wheel rim 5 from the wheel hub 1.

Description

Steering Wheel
Background
This invention relates to a removable, defornable energy absorbing steering wheel rim and associated energy absorbing components.
During an accident) the drivers chest/upper abdomen, Limbs and head may cone into contact with the steering wheel rim resulting in various serious injuries or Fatality. The steering wheeL rim nay also impede the emergency services in providing aid to the driver.
Statement of invention
To reduce the potential injuries and address the issue off the steering wheel rim impeding the emergency services as outlined above) the present invention proposes a removable, defornable energy absorbing steering wheel rim and a two spoke wheel hub, The integrity of the steering wheel rim is automatically altered from it's rigid state under normal conditions to a deformable energy absorbing state under accident conditions. The change in state of the steering wheel rim is activated by a conventional triggering mechanism and achieved by the operation of a number of electro magnets which in turn facilitate the retraction of a number of wheel rim core link rods! FolLowing the retraction of the wheel rim core link rods) a number of energy absorbing fLexible sections of wheel rim core together with a wheel rim elastic outer sheath, allows the wheel rim to deform under impact in an energy absorbing manner about a number of withdrawable wheel rim retaining pins. Removing the withdrawable wheel rim retaining pins allows a number of detachable wheeL rim cradles and the wheeL rim to be removed from the two spoke wheel hub.
Advantages The removability and energy absorbing characteristics of the deformable steering wheel rim will reduce potential injuries sustained by a driver when they cone into contact with the steering wheeL rim during an accident and assist the emergency services in providing aid to the driver Preferably) the performance of the removable1 deformable energy absorbing steering wheel rim is enhanced by a energy absorbing instrument cluster hood.
Preferably, the performance of the removable, deformabLe energy absorbing steering wheel rim is enhanced by a energy absorbing steering wheel rim restrictor Fin Preferably, the detachable wheeL rim cradles incorporate a wheel rim core link rod driLl guide hole.
Advantages Preferably, the steering wheel rim is padded Preferably, the steering wheel rim padding has a number of cavities to allow the rim to deform.
Preferably, the wheel rim core link rods pass through a low friction channel, Preferably, the steering wheeL rim has a aesthetic rim cover with perforated rupture points.
Preferably, each wheel rim core link rod will be provided with a means of being held in position under normaL conditions by a magnetic retainer for
example.
Description
An exanpl.e of the invention wiU now be described by referring to the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 shows) on plan a removable, deformable energy absorbing steering wheel rim according to the invention, the wheel rim core link rods in their retracted position for clarity and the wheel rim being in an pre impact rigid state, Figure 2 shows, in section a removable, deformable energy absorbing steering wheel rim according to the invention, the steering wheel rim in it's post impact deformed state, Figure 3 shows, on plan a two spoke wheel hub according to the invention) with the withdrawable wheel rim retaining pins) detachable wheel rim cradles and deformable energy absorbing steering wheel rim removed, Figure 4 shows) on plan a removable, deformable energy absorbing steering wheel rim with an alternative wheel rim core and wheel rim rigidity release arrangement.
Figure 5 shows) in section a removable, deformable energy absorbing steering wheel rim with an alternative wheel rim core flexible section and withdrawablp wheel rim retaining pin arrangement.
In figure 1, a removable, deformable energy absorbing steering wheel rim and associated energy absorbing components in a pre impact state includes a two spoke wheel hub 1 which is attached to the steering system in a conventional manner, An electro magnet arrangement 8 is located in the wheel hub cavity 15 and secured in place with proprietary fixings. The electro magnet 8 is activated by a conventional triggering mechanism via electrical cabling 9 The electro magnet arrangement 8 when energized retracts a number of wheel rim core link rods 4 which are held in position under normal conditions by a number of magnetic retainers 19. The wheel rim core link rods 4 pass through the wheel hub spokes via a number of low friction channels 16. The removable padded wheel rim 5 is secured in a number of detachable wheel rim cradles 6 by a number of withdrawable wheel rim retaining pins 7. The detachable wheel rim cradles 6 incorporate a wheel rim core [ink rod drUl guide hoLe 26 -to aLlow disconnection oP the wheeL rim core link rod 4 if required The wheel rim core 2 includes a flexible energy absorbing section of' wheel rim core 3 In Figure 2, a removable. deformable energy absorbing steering wheel rim and associated energy absorbing components in a post impact deformed state includes elements as mentioned above. In addition1 a energy absorbing elastic wheel rim outer sheath 10 is formed around the removable padded wheel rim 5 When impacted, the removable padded wheel rim 5 may freely deform due to a wheel rim padding cavity 13, The removable padded wheel rim 5 is finished with a aesthetic wheel rim cover which has perforated rupture points 17 which also allow the wheel rim to freely deform1 To enhance energy absorbing performance and prevent excessive deformation of the wheel rim, a energy absorbing instrument cluster hood 12 and energy absorbing wheel rim restrictor fin 11 form parts of the dashboard 18 and steering column casing 14 -( See FIgure 1).
Figure 3, a removable, deformable energy absorbing steering wheel rim and associated energy absorbing components as described in Figure 1 with the withdrawable wheel rim retaining pins 7, detachable wheel rim cradles 6 and the padded wheel rim 5 removed, Figure 4 shows an alternative embodiment in which a double wheel rim core 20 allows the use of wheel rim electro magnets and armature plates 21 as a means of supplementing the wheel rim rigidity under normal conditions. The electro magnet power cables 9 are routed to the wheel rim electro magnet via a cable channel 22 in the two spoke wheel hub 1 and the detachable wheel rim cradle 6 The electro magnets are energized at all material times and de-energized under accident conditions to allow the energy absorbing steering rim to deform as previously described, Figure 5 shows another alternative embodiment in which a energy absorbing wheel rim core flexible section ball joint 23 and a central withdrawable wheel rim retaining pin 24 is used as a means of allowing the wheel rim to deform under impact following the retraction of the wheel rim core link rod 4 from a number of wheel rim core rigidity points 25 on the flexible section ball joint 23,

Claims (1)

  1. <claim-text>Claims 1, A removable, deformable energy absorbing steering wheel, rim comprising a means of providing wheel rim rigidity under normal conditions, a means of removing wheel rim rigidity under accident conditions, a means enabling the wheel rim to deform, a number of integraL and external energy absorbing components and a means of allowing the wheel rim to be removed.</claim-text> <claim-text>2 A removable, deformable energy absorbing steering wheel rim according to claim 1) in which the wheel rim is alLowed to freely deform by the use of' a two spoke wheel hub.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. A removable, deformable energy absorbing steering wheel rim according to claim 1, in which the wheel rim rigidity under normal conditions is supplemented by a number of wheel rim core Link rods.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. A removable, deformable energy absorbing steering wheel rim according to claim 3, in which the wheel rim core link rods are retracted by a number of electro magnets aLlowing the rim to deform under impact.</claim-text> <claim-text>5, A removable, deformable energy absorbing steering wheel rim according to claIm 3, in which the wheel rim core link rods are secured in a number of' wheel rim core rigidity points providing wheel rim rigidity under normaL condition, 6. A removable, deformable energy absorbing steering wheel rim according to claims 4, in which the electro magnets are energized and de-energized via the use of a conventional triggering mechanism.7. A removable, deformable energy absorbing steering wheel rim according to claim 1, in which the the means of energy absorption and wheel rim def'ormability is provided by fLexible sections of' wheel rim core 8, A removable, deformable energy absorbing steering wheel rim according to claim 1, in which the the means of energy absorption and wheel rim deformability is provided by a wheel rim core flexible section ball joint.9 A removable, deformable energy absorbing steering wheel rim according to claim 1, in which the the means of energy absorption is provided by flexible sections of a doubLe wheeL rim core.101 A removable, deformable energy absorbing steering wheel rim according to claim 7, in which the wheel rim rigidity under normal conditions is supplemented by a number of wheel rim eLectro magnets and armature pLates.11. A removable, deformable energy absorbing steering wheel rim according to claim 1, in which the the means of energy absorption is provided by a energy absorbing elastic wheel rim outer sheath.Claims 12 A removable, deformable energy absorbing steering wheel rim according to claim 1, in which the the means of energy absorption is provided by a energy absorbing wheel rim restrictor fin.13! A removable, deformable energy absorbing steering wheel rim according to claim 1, in which the the means of energy absorption is provided by a energy absorbing instrument cluster hood! 14. A removable) deformable energy absorbing steering wheel rim according to claim 3, in which the wheel rim core link rods pass through a number of low friction channels.15. A removable, deforriable energy absorbing steering wheel rim according to claim 1, in which the steering wheel rim is secured in a number of detachable wheel rim cradLes! 16! A removable, deformable energy absorbing steering wheel rim according to claim 15, the detachable wheel rim cradles incorporating a wheeL rim core link rod drill guide hole! 17! A removable, deformable energy absorbing steering wheel rim according to claim 1, in which the steering wheeL rim deforms under impact about a number of withclrawable wheel rim retaining pins.18. A removable) deformable energy absorbing steering wheel rim according to claim 1, in which the steering wheel rim is removed from the two spoke wheel hub by means of withdrawing the wheel rim retaining pins.19. A removable, deformable energy absorbing steering wheel rim according to claim 1, in which the wheel rim has a aesthetic rim cover with perforated rupture points which allows the wheeL rim to deform under impact.20. A removable, deformable energy absorbing steering wheel rim according to claim 1, in which the wheel rim padding has a number of cavities which allow the wheel rim to deform under impact! 21 A removable, deformable energy absorbing steering wheel rim according to claim 3, In which the wheel rim core Link rods are held In position under normal conditions by a number of magnetic retainers!</claim-text>
GB201117846A 2011-09-16 2011-10-17 Deformable removable steering wheel rim Withdrawn GB2494719A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB201116094A GB201116094D0 (en) 2011-09-16 2011-09-16 Steering wheel

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB201117846D0 GB201117846D0 (en) 2011-11-30
GB2494719A true GB2494719A (en) 2013-03-20

Family

ID=44937446

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB201116094A Ceased GB201116094D0 (en) 2011-09-16 2011-09-16 Steering wheel
GB201117846A Withdrawn GB2494719A (en) 2011-09-16 2011-10-17 Deformable removable steering wheel rim

Family Applications Before (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB201116094A Ceased GB201116094D0 (en) 2011-09-16 2011-09-16 Steering wheel

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (2) GB201116094D0 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN110709308A (en) * 2017-06-06 2020-01-17 博泽科堡汽车零件有限公司 Foldable steering wheel

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4887484A (en) * 1989-06-22 1989-12-19 Hsiang Peng Steering wheel assembly
JPH10100910A (en) * 1996-09-27 1998-04-21 Nissan Diesel Motor Co Ltd Collision relaxing device in cab-over vehicle
DE29913382U1 (en) * 1998-10-27 2000-03-09 Buhl Erich Steering wheel made of several components, which changes its stiffness in dangerous situations
US20040173047A1 (en) * 2003-03-07 2004-09-09 Xiaoping Xu Steering wheel armature with detachable rim
JP2007230315A (en) * 2006-02-28 2007-09-13 Toyota Motor Corp Steering wheel
JP2008087630A (en) * 2006-10-02 2008-04-17 Toyoda Gosei Co Ltd Steering wheel
JP2008260352A (en) * 2007-04-11 2008-10-30 Toyota Motor Corp Steering operation device

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4887484A (en) * 1989-06-22 1989-12-19 Hsiang Peng Steering wheel assembly
JPH10100910A (en) * 1996-09-27 1998-04-21 Nissan Diesel Motor Co Ltd Collision relaxing device in cab-over vehicle
DE29913382U1 (en) * 1998-10-27 2000-03-09 Buhl Erich Steering wheel made of several components, which changes its stiffness in dangerous situations
US20040173047A1 (en) * 2003-03-07 2004-09-09 Xiaoping Xu Steering wheel armature with detachable rim
JP2007230315A (en) * 2006-02-28 2007-09-13 Toyota Motor Corp Steering wheel
JP2008087630A (en) * 2006-10-02 2008-04-17 Toyoda Gosei Co Ltd Steering wheel
JP2008260352A (en) * 2007-04-11 2008-10-30 Toyota Motor Corp Steering operation device

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN110709308A (en) * 2017-06-06 2020-01-17 博泽科堡汽车零件有限公司 Foldable steering wheel
CN110709308B (en) * 2017-06-06 2022-04-12 博泽科堡汽车零件有限公司 Foldable steering wheel

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB201116094D0 (en) 2011-11-02
GB201117846D0 (en) 2011-11-30

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WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)